St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-18

he conquered from the FrenchP There
chivalry found its proudeSt votaries,and
Normandy the strongest duchy in Eu-
rope. At Hastings again is the NOrS-
mans battle axe and the RoltonS battle
song, and from those who conquered
ON that fated field have descended kings
and queens, and many noble names and
deeds in England. In science she has
made rapid progress: swept aside the
ancient armament and set us floating on
the ocean of intinity. The scientists of
Norway have investigated Nature and
her laws, and where truth is found APP
piled it to the use of mankind. The
scientists, like the soldiers, are too nu-
mer0us as well as too well known to you
all to warrant me i'll taking up
your time in naming them. The
Saga and the old morse Mythology al
fords tlattering testimony of the literary
genius of her sons. In the great array
of the worlds poets, Norway is well
represented i'll both ability and numbers,
and honor be to the dead ones as we'll as
to the living, for the grandeur and
purity of thoughts that they have left
for future generations to read and study.
1t was the thought of the famous poet,
Henry Wergeland, that made the 18th
day of May national holiday. Sagen,
Valhaven and Swatch have departed.
Among the living and most famous
ones are Henry lbSen, (the Shakespeare
of Norway, BjOrnStjerne Bjornson, the
patriotic poet of Norway, bids fair to
win the price that will be awarded to
the poetical genius of the Nineteenth
century. On that day of reward, behold
him walking through the gate of fame
side by side with our distinguished
American poet, Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow. And while you stand at the
portal of fame, viewing the poets as they
receive their rewards from the critics,
YOU will see among those who carry away
prizes two more distinguished Nor
wegian poets, Jonas Lee and our
townsman, Rev. Christopher Jensen.
And so | might follow the various pro-
feSSions, educational institutions,
branches of industry in Norway as we'll
as in America, and point out men who
have gained national fame i'll their re-
spective stations. Norway can justly
feel proud of her SONS and their deeds.
She has an industrious, genial and Il
liberty-l0ving p0pulace, that has placed
her i'll the front rank among the civil
lied nations of the world. The same
spirit of industry, intellectual advance
ment and progress in general which
placed Norway in the front rank among
the civilized nations of the world has
also been imbibed by the Swedish and
Danish people, and to-day we find the
three nations side by side enjoying free
dom and prosperity. My time is limited.
and the occasion demands that our at
tention should be directed to the pres
ent assembly and the Scandinavian
people of the state of Minnesota.
All these virtues of our f0refathers
across the sea have fitting representa-
IN III. NJ. hnr ts,l nH-
you | will say, take inspiration from the
past, yet above all things do not fail to
meet your duties as sons of America, as
sons of the North Star state.
You should not forget that your first
duty is to protect the stars and stripes,
and never allow that sacred banner to
be trailed in the dust. America first
above all things. The Scandinavian
people have not only a proud history of
their native land, but the history of
Minnesota reveals the fact that this
commonwealth is in a large degree i'll
debted to you for the proud position
which she holds in the sister
hood of states. Minnesota is
represented by you i'll the legislative
halls of the national capitol as well as
those of the state. IN foreign countries
as cOnsels and ministers. Nor have
the Sons of the Scandinavian countries
failed to obtain great prominence Ill
both the legal and medical professions
in Minnesota. OF the former you find
such names as Knute Nelson, \.
LELAND, j. w. ArctanGer, r. Christian
sen and j. Lind, the cOngresS,nan-elect
from the Second district. Among the
latter: \. Bendike, Skaro, Thames and
many others. Among those who take
| III rha,. Il In In
lions of our state could be named Prof.
Oftedahl, Sverdrup, Breda and many
Others. And the same promi-
hence which is obtained there
is also equal if not fully sur
passed by the great number
who represent the Scandinavian
people in the various branches of com
merce, trades and industries. As jour
naliStS, too, they are second to none
This commonwealth of Minnesota is i'll
debted to the Scandinavian laboring
men for her material progress and pros
perity more than to any other class OF
men. You have invaded the wild forests
and prairieS, and cultivated them into
productive farms and beautiful gardens
You have taken the raw materials as
nature left them and built two OF the
most beautiful cities in the United
States. You have made yourselves use
full as we'll as ornamental, and the pop
ular verdict is that you have met the
highest requirements of American citi
ZenShip. Your past is in proportion Il
abilities and number; in both you are
great. You have not. and you will not
neglect your trust. The demands of the
hour are for the largest endowment o.
cultured manhood. In the work yet Il
be done, let there be unity of purpose
and of action. Then yet a grandel
future awaits for the state and the TIVE
cities that are her pride and her strength
WOrkmen, assist the Scandinavian bust
ness men, and the business men vii
assist you. Work hand in hand, ant
the commercial interest of our cite:
will then reach the standard which the!
so eminently deserve. Let envy an(
jealousy between labor and com
merce be buried the same as the tire,
nations have buried it.
This unusually large gathering OF
Scandinavian people here to-day, in TIL,
commemoratiOn of NOrway's independ
1t is new guaranty that the old Strif,
between the Swedes, NOrwegianS ant
Danes is forgotten: that the tie o
friendship is renewed, never again to b'
broken. None but generous and unSelf
iSh men would have done what thu
Swedes and Danes have done to-day
And by no class of people are you
manly deeds more highly appreciated
than by the Norwegian people. In be
half of the Norwegian residents of Min
neapoi;s, allow me to congratulate ant
welcome you on your magnificent dis
play, both in number and taste. w
are ready to grasp the hands of unity
friendship and cooperation. Werealiz
the fact full well, that tn,
social relations, as well as tn,
business relations, in the cit,
of Minneapolis are SC closely related be
tween the Scandinavian people tina
when we fail to work hand in hand ever
nature herself feels agrieved over Oh